Please Note: All PSPX7 Users

[Roberto]

Well... it always moot.
Again, Reallusion (the company producing FaceFilter, in bundle with PSP 7 Ultimate) has a fantastic cost-free customer support and their products ranges around 100 to 200 bucks...
Also, they release so many updates for free... one fo their product updated for free from 32-bit to 64-bit version!
Said that, it's true that Photoshop is quite expensive, but it is also true that GIMP is for free...
Anyway, the problem actually is not only the pricey bug-report-support, but also how many bugs did they put in.
Reading through the Forum for Corel products, it is quite scaring... so many people reports about problems.
I already dropped Video Studio (I abandoned years ago for something better, still in the same price range), now I am afraid to spend money for a buggy photo-shop product, where I also need to pay to help Corel to solve their bugs.

[TCHAPAIEV]

Hopefully to be read by some Corel staff: I was thinking to upgrade to Corel photo Shop Ultimate X7 but reading this post just scared me away.
I can't imagine to buy a product and then be asked to pay again to report some of their bugs... for the life of me, this is totally unacceptable.
If Corel continues with this direction, they will simply lose more and more customers.
PSP X7 Ultimate includes FaceFilter 3 by Reallusion: they should just see and learn from that company what does it mean "customer support".
Any reported issue is answered in 1 or 2 days, plus they have a steady interaction with people writing in their Forum.
Obviously at no cost...

I got a bug at the very insttalation of the product and followed the procedure just by going to support and giving my free support number ; the answer came in 24 hours very detailed although I found myself a turnaround ; I will explain the bug on another post ; but the 30 day warranty works so far ; otherwise it happened that I had tu buy a ticket but this was de developper's mistake and sa my CCard was not debited; I certanly agree that the support SHOULD be free for registered users and Corel got a terrible -profit based - Policy regarding support

[NfTaylor76]

If you are having issues with PSPX7 it is important that contact Corel with these issues. If you don't, they can't fix them.
No matter how big or small, please contact Corel.

We like to know the problems you are having, but in the main, most of us are having the same issues and this is why it's important to let Corel know.

Some have asked how to get support from Corel. Everyone who purchases their products receives a 30 day help and support for free from the day of your purchase. Remember to register immediately after installing. You will receive email from Corel with your 30day free support. I suggest you use it.

In PaintShop Pro go to the Menu bar, click on Help, Corel Support. A new page will open for you to add Product. Next you can submit your question. Give as much detail as you can. It does say that you have to have your product registered before asking a question.

I'd *LOVE* to give them constructive reports of problems encountered using the Trial Version, as I am actively peering into all corners -- but they won't accept me, as I haven't bought it yet. If I can't get answers to some blocking problems, then I won't ever buy it...

Any suggestions on how to help Corel fix problems with only a Trial version as leverage?

[MikeFromMesa]

I'd *LOVE* to give them constructive reports of problems encountered using the Trial Version, as I am actively peering into all corners -- but they won't accept me, as I haven't bought it yet. If I can't get answers to some blocking problems, then I won't ever buy it...

Any suggestions on how to help Corel fix problems with only a Trial version as leverage?

You have to have an assigned code to be able to file a bug report (or pay) and you cannot get that until you buy the product. It is certainly not a user friendly system and, even when you file a report, you may well be strung along with responses taking forever. It took me 11 days to get a response that they would think about fixing the problem sometime in the future and Corel support, as mixed as it may be (some people find it helpful, others not) only lasts for 30 days. After that you have to pay. It is a very strange support policy but, I suppose, helps keep the cost of the product down.

Your best bet with a trial version is this user forum. Fortunately the people here are knowledgeable and helpful. I got more help on this forum with my issue than through support.

[wtrieu76hk]

Hi,

May I know the exclusive plugins: Perfectly Clear & FaceFilter3 bundled with PSP X7 Ultimate are run only inside PSP X7 or can be run in standalone mode and shared with the other applications such as PhotoShop?
Also, may I know the version of Perfectly Clear with PSP X7U is the lastest v2.0 or not? Thanks for replying!

Regards,

Wilson

[MikeFromMesa]

Hi,

May I know the exclusive plugins: Perfectly Clear & FaceFilter3 bundled with PSP X7 Ultimate are run only inside PSP X7 or can be run in standalone mode and shared with the other applications such as PhotoShop?
Also, may I know the version of Perfectly Clear with PSP X7U is the lastest v2.0 or not? Thanks for replying!

Wilson

To the best of my knowledge the PerfectlyClear plugin will only work with PSP. It is a special version (1.7.3C) and is probably designed to only work with PSP. The PerfectlyClear version that was current when X7 was announced was 1.7.3 so the PSP version was comparable, but not exactly the same. I had the PerfectlyClear trial installed in my version of Photoshop and, although the interfaces were identical, the text was missing from the "Light Diffusion" checkbox. It worked, but was missing the explanatory text and that tells me that the version was specific to PSP. I can tell you that I tested the same photo using Photoshop/PerfectlyClear 1.7.3 and PSP/PerfectlyClear1.7.3C and could not tell any difference between the two images.

It is different front the 2.0 version available for PerfectlyClear now although if you have the PSP version in X7 Ultimate you are probably eligible for the upgrade price of PerfectlyClear (or so I was told).

Does this help?

[wtrieu76hk]

Hi,

May I know the exclusive plugins: Perfectly Clear & FaceFilter3 bundled with PSP X7 Ultimate are run only inside PSP X7 or can be run in standalone mode and shared with the other applications such as PhotoShop?
Also, may I know the version of Perfectly Clear with PSP X7U is the lastest v2.0 or not? Thanks for replying!

Wilson

To the best of my knowledge the PerfectlyClear plugin will only work with PSP. It is a special version (1.7.3C) and is probably designed to only work with PSP. The PerfectlyClear version that was current when X7 was announced was 1.7.3 so the PSP version was comparable, but not exactly the same. I had the PerfectlyClear trial installed in my version of Photoshop and, although the interfaces were identical, the text was missing from the "Light Diffusion" checkbox. It worked, but was missing the explanatory text and that tells me that the version was specific to PSP. I can tell you that I tested the same photo using Photoshop/PerfectlyClear 1.7.3 and PSP/PerfectlyClear1.7.3C and could not tell any difference between the two images.

It is different front the 2.0 version available for PerfectlyClear now although if you have the PSP version in X7 Ultimate you are probably eligible for the upgrade price of PerfectlyClear (or so I was told).

Does this help?

Got it! Thanks Mike!

[MikeFromMesa]

Got it! Thanks Mike!

One other thing I forgot to mention.

You sounded like you were interested in PerfectlyClear v 2.0 and, if so, you should know that there is something wrong with the current v2.0 version, at least on the Mac. It does not seem to handle 16 bit images well. I have submitted a bug report to Athentech and so they are aware of the issue but you might want to wait a bit before buying version 2.0 until this is addressed unless, of course, you only work in 8 bit color depth.

I have attached two images taken at a local forest. The photo is of the sky looking from the bottom of some trees and the same image was run through PerfectlyClear 2.0 and adjusted using Fix Dark. The 8 bit image is OK, the 16 bit image, well, you can see for yourself. It is not that the 16 bit image is not interesting, but it is not what I had in mind when I took the shot ...

This is not the worst of it. For most of my 16 bit images run through PerfectlyClear I did not get an output image at all but instead performing the Save operation in PerfectlyClear 2.0 caused a crash. That was using Photoshop CC 2014 and Photoshop Elements 12, both on the Mac. I can not speak for the Windows version.

[wtrieu76hk]

Got it! Thanks Mike!

One other thing I forgot to mention.

You sounded like you were interested in PerfectlyClear v 2.0 and, if so, you should know that there is something wrong with the current v2.0 version, at least on the Mac. It does not seem to handle 16 bit images well. I have submitted a bug report to Athentech and so they are aware of the issue but you might want to wait a bit before buying version 2.0 until this is addressed unless, of course, you only work in 8 bit color depth.

I have attached two images taken at a local forest. The photo is of the sky looking from the bottom of some trees and the same image was run through PerfectlyClear 2.0 and adjusted using Fix Dark. The 8 bit image is OK, the 16 bit image, well, you can see for yourself. It is not that the 16 bit image is not interesting, but it is not what I had in mind when I took the shot ...

This is not the worst of it. For most of my 16 bit images run through PerfectlyClear I did not get an output image at all but instead performing the Save operation in PerfectlyClear 2.0 caused a crash. That was using Photoshop CC 2014 and Photoshop Elements 12, both on the Mac. I can not speak for the Windows version.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your info and testing!
Actually, I have just downloaded the trial version of PSP X7, and I am now going to evaluate the PSP and Cyberlink PhotoDirector 6. I am currently the Cyberlink PowerDirector 11 Ultimate Suite and Corel Video Studio X7 Ultimate (recently bought for 2 months) user. Also, I am currently using the PS Elements 7, but the features are really outdated. I need to find a low cost, high efficiency and ease of use photo manipulating solution for my projects.
I have found that Corel Video Studio has provided a lot of 3rd party professional & high value plugins, and this strategy is also found in PSP (especially the Perfectly Clear really interests me a lot on YouTube, but this is OK and save my money if v1.7.3C is basically identical to v2.0).
On the other hand, PhotoDirector 6 has provided the Panaroma Photo Merging feature. I will have a clear decision if PSP has the similar feature also.

[MikeFromMesa]

I have found that Corel Video Studio has provided a lot of 3rd party professional & high value plugins, and this strategy is also found in PSP (especially the Perfectly Clear really interests me a lot on YouTube, but this is OK and save my money if v1.7.3C is basically identical to v2.0).
On the other hand, PhotoDirector 6 has provided the Panaroma Photo Merging feature. I will have a clear decision if PSP has the similar feature also.

You misunderstood me. I did not say (or mean to say) that PerfectlyClear 1.7.3C is basically the same as 2.0. I said that 1.7.3C was basically the same as 1.7.3, which was the current version of PerfectlyClear when X7 was released. Corel bundled a full version of PerfectlyClear with X7 rather than a stripped-down version.

To clarify - PerfectlyClear 2.0 is very different from 1.7.3 (or 1.7.3C). The interface looks completely different and is lacking the Default preset that was my most used preset in PC. In fact I had to create a custom setting to simulate the Default setting in 1.7.3. What it does have is an expanded set of adjustments and that may work for you. Personally I preferred 1.7.3, although 2.0 is OK.

[photodrawken]

To the best of my knowledge the PerfectlyClear plugin will only work with PSP.

At least with respect to the PerfectlyClear plugin provided with PSP X6 (version 1.7.1C), the plugin works perfectly as a plugin in PhotoLine.

Don't know if the PerfectlyClear plugin checks for the existence of PSP, but I kept PSP X6 installed.

[MikeFromMesa]

This is not the worst of it. For most of my 16 bit images run through PerfectlyClear I did not get an output image at all but instead performing the Save operation in PerfectlyClear 2.0 caused a crash. That was using Photoshop CC 2014 and Photoshop Elements 12, both on the Mac. I can not speak for the Windows version.

Interestingly enough I received an update email from Athentech (the PerfectlyClear tech company) telling me that they had fixed the issue I mentioned and giving me links to the latest version. So, perhaps, the problem has been fixed.

[DavidBeale]

I'm gobsmacked about having to pay to report bugs then, what? Do I have to beg/hope for a refund after reporting that functions, that still work perfectly well in 64bit X6 , now fail in X7 Pro ultimate 64bit?
I didn't realize that the 30 days free help excludes bug reporting after 30 days; so I'm reporting bugs here. I didn't have time to set up x7 to suit using all four screens as I do with x6; I had work that needed maximum concentration; I didn't want to be going slow. When I did try x7, it didn't go! I tried using Ctrl+C etc...not there...At first I thought I just couldn't find the buttons sort of thing; then I tried selecting an area and moving the selection: the contents disappeared or, worse, the picture scrambled, or...so no copy paste, no moving bits of pictures around. The colour changer does not work. The saving function took an inordinate amount of time whereas x6 can save instantly...too many bugs to bother trying it any more. I'm using x6 until bug fixes happen and it's worth another trial; or, perhaps best to just get money back. At least x6 didn't get rubbed out or disabled; had that happened I'd take up another year of Adobe Cloud. Adobe Cloud did nothing I needed to do extra or better than I can do with Corel's suite and the many other programs I use; they all add up to an easier-to-learn easier-to-use and more bug-free collection than Adobe Cloud, for my purposes; until now; perhaps; I hope not; I've been using Corel software since the 1980s.

[yupus]

What plug-ins are you trying to add? Which version of PSP are you using -- the 64 bit or 32 bit version? Are the plug-ins 32 or 64 bit? I assume you realise that 32 bit plug-ins will not work in the 64 bit version of PSP...

Sorry I didn't explain further. I'm using 32 bit Version, Windows 7. I know plug ins won't work in 64 bit versions. Version of Psp is the brand new one X7. I just bought it. I'm just concerned, as I have X6 and all plug ins work, so I assumed (always a bad thing) that they would also work in X7.

Have had this argument with Corel and in their arrogance the problem lies with the makers of the plugin and them not supporting Corel's 'upgrade'. Suffice to say I've had my money back on X7. Not fit for purpose.

[Cassel]

Have had this argument with Corel and in their arrogance the problem lies with the makers of the plugin and them not supporting Corel's 'upgrade'. Suffice to say I've had my money back on X7. Not fit for purpose.

So, by this logic, if you buy a computer with Windows8, and it does not support an older program like PSP9, you will blame Microsoft because the maker of PSP9 never upgraded their program to be compatible with something that didn't exist then? You would finc Microsoft arrogant if they tell you that Jasc/Corel never upgraded that old program and it is why W8 does not support it?